More than 200 volunteers contributed to making the Eurobodalla Shire more beautiful by clearing rubbish from 37 sites across the region on Sunday.
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Volunteers collected 193 bags of rubbish and an additional 16 cubic metres in bulky items.
Clean Up Australia's Eurobodalla Shire coordinator Maree Cadman said students from 12 of the shire's schools helped on Friday, with many choosing clean-up sites outside school grounds; beaches and reserves, skateparks and BMX tracks.
Ms Cadman was pleased to see numbers up this year.
"Last year we had around 160 people on the day," Ms Cadman said.
"It's great to see people moving on from the fires and giving up their time to get our shire back to its lovely best."
She said this year was different for volunteers.
"We also did something different this year for the recovery effort, with Love the Bay vouchers donated to our volunteers," Ms Cadman said.
"They were really well received. There were a few tears when they were given to some families who really needed them after the fires.
"We also had Liam Rankine - community relationship manager from Clean Up Australia's head office - visit for the day, helping out at Mogo, Long Beach and Corrigans.
"He was here to support our Eurobodalla Clean Up volunteers, recognising the tremendous effort our shire has made for more than 25 years."
Ms Cadman said it was disheartening to find freshly-dumped rubbish in recently burnt areas.
"Now more than ever we need to help our bush along and this year's Clean Up was a great start," she said.
Clean Up Australia began 30 years ago by Ian Kiernan, a sailor who was shocked by the pollution in the oceans.
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It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.
